Normal MS symptoms

[Gabbiigabs]

I was recently diagnosed with ms (I forget which type) this year. I am barely 20 and I already have coordination issues, tremors, balance problems. Is this normal? I have never been the most coordinated person but my friends always think im just being clumsy or I'm drunk.

[rendean]

Hi and welcome!

To answer your questions. First, I was on copaxone with little to no side effects exccept the stinging from the injections which diminish over time. Now I am on Tysabri with no visible side effects.

Second, you spoke of clumsiness and coordination and balance issues. I have these too. They flare during a relapse. Your brain can re-learn the old functions of balance,etc through neuroplasticity. see the Health Page on this . Here is the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Neuroplasticity-and-MS/show/424?cid=36

You need to find a good NEURO literate physical therapist to help your brain relearn old behaviors and coordination. Mine (PT) is great and I have had to relearn the tandem walk (drunk heel to toe test) numerous times and each time my brain stores the new info in a new place and it works!!

Ask for PT from your neuro and ask him if he knows of any neuro literate PTs. PTs who specialize in people with neurological issues. If you find your own PT ask before yo go what experience they have in this field. The RIGHT therpaist can make all the difference in the world!

Things can and will improve. Hang in there and come back with any more questions or concerns you might have.

Ren

[meg321]

Hi Tom,

I am on copaxone and i think it is one of the best.  But I do remember that it took a little while after my dx and starting of my copaxone for me to feel better.  In my opinion the med helped, for one thing it gets rid of a lot of flare-ups. Things become more stable.

Good luck with this and you are in the right place...

meg

[Lulu54]

At first I was on copaxone for over three years, and am now taking the once-a-month infusion of Tysabri.  The choice of meds is complicated, especially when you are already overwhelmed with the news that you have MS.  If you want a good site to walk you through the differences, check out http://www.msdecisions.org.uk/

They may not have all the newest drugs listed there, but the basic information is solid and most people find it useful..

Good luck and I hope we see you around more,
Lu

[Gabbiigabs]

my neurologist gave me about 5 different medication that is commonly used to "treat" MS (more like slow it down and possibly restore the zillion lesions I have). they are mostly through injection! when I had my first attack I suffered from optic neuritis and had to take IV steroids and pills for 2 weeks. If I may ask, what type of medication do you take? I react to every side effect possible for most medications so I am just wondering which is easier.
thanks tom

[Lulu54]

Hi Gabbigabs and welcome to our community.  This is a great place to stop and ask questions.  I am so happy to see Tom's advice to you regarding the meds - they really are the best option we have to delay disability.  

There are lots of young people out there with MS and even MS forums specific to people your age and the special needs and interests.  It stinks tht you have MS, and I'm sorry you are now part of this club.  But please keep in mind that this is not a death sentence.  Most people manage to live quite well with their MS, but it takes effort.  

Give yourself some time - lots of time in fact- to get used to this idea of living with a chronic disease and learn all you can about MS.  Take it slow, though.  don't overwhelm yourself.  

And please, as you find information out there, consider the source.  There is lots of crap on the webabout MS and how to treat it or even cure it.  If you have questions about anything you find, feel free to ask about it here - we have very knowledgeable folks here who really do know a lot about MS.

I hope to see you around,
L

[tomas2729]

I am the same way with meds.... We have a choice to make. We can take our chance off the meds and risk serious problems from the disease. Or, we can take the meds and hopefully function in somewhat of a normal fasion. I just try and stay as healthy as I can and as much as I hate meds, I take them.

Best,
Tom

[Gabbiigabs]

Thank you Tom!
it's reassuring to just hear that I am not the only clumsy tremor person out there. I just don't know anyone so young! I went to my neurologist today and he recommended medication. I just don't know if I need to be on meds or not. I hate medication.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community, you may find that our health pages (found just to the right of your screen) will help you work out a few things and answer many of your questions. I have to say that its a little disconcerting to think your neuro hasn't fully explained things to you, your quite young so really have your entire life ahead of you, so understanding is going to make all the diference to your tomorrows.

If your dx is very recent, its quite possible that your still experiencing the relapse or if the last one was a month or so ago, that your now experiencing a new relapse. The first year after dx, seems to be the most difficult for people, just getting to know your body and the pseudo triggers can take a while to work out, but it will come. If your sx have worsened and or you are now experiencing a new MS sx, then its advisable to contact your neuro. He/she may rx iv steroids to try to shorten the relapse, and discuss other treatment options available to you.

Hmmm there is nothing normal about MS, i've got to say its been a bit of a walk on the wild side, weird is basically the MS normal imho lol. MS has common sx but each person has a different pattern of sx, so its pretty unique to the individual. Where your lesions are can make all the difference to what sx you have, though its imposible to map lesions to every sx's, some are more predictable eg spinal lesions, optic, cerebellum.

I think its probably a really good idea to do a bit of research on brain plasticity, pseudo relapses vs true relapses and if you haven't yet started a disease modifying drug or know about the treatment options, then those too, our health pages are good place to go to find these things, as are most MS organisations or for movement issues try wemove.org which is really helpful too.

Cheers.........JJ

[tomas2729]

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing symptoms. As many people in this community know, it is not your idea of a good time.  

Unfortunately, those are all symptoms of MS. Things like this can just flare up sometimes. Have you called your nuerologist to let him/her know? They might need to do another MRI to see if there are any active lesions.

I know all too well about the whole balance issues (I've had them for years...) My wife has always given me a hard time for being a clumsy as well. MS stinks! All we can do is learn how to live the best we can.....

Take care,

Tom